[20011211]RS20130_美欧香蕉争端.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS20130Updated December 11, 2001The U.S.-European Union Banana Disputename redactedSenior Specialist in Agricultural PolicyResources, Science, and Industry DivisionSummaryThe United States and the European Union (EU) reached an agreement in April2001 that resolved a long-standing dispute over the EUs rules for importing bananas.Objections to the agreement by other banana exporting countries, such as Ecuador andCaribbean banana exporters, have been withdrawn. The U.S.-EU banana agreementprovides for a transition to a tariff-only system of imports in 2006. In the meantime, theEU will establish quotas and a licensing system based on historical trade shares thatshould increase the prospects for Latin American banana imports in the EU market,especially bananas marketed by U.S. firms like Chiquita Brands International. InNovember 2001, the WTO granted waivers of WTO rules allowing the EU to continuepreferential treatment for banana exports of developing countries that are former EUmember country colonies. These waivers paved the way for full implementation of theagreement b